Police Affairs panel urges review of info on Akeyuth murder

[Lite Beer]

Police Affairs panel urges review of info on Akeyuth murder
The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The House Committee on Police Affairs has called on police investigating the murder of businessman and long-standing government critic, Akeyuth Anchanbutr, to review any information that might shed new light on the case. The House Committee urged police not to jump to any conclusions until further evidence had been collected. Police investigators have insisted that the motive behind Akeyuth's murder was the stolen Bt5 million, however, Akeyuth's family and lawyer believe that it was politically motivated.

Democrat Party MP for Trang and the committee chairman, Somchai Lhosathapornpipat, said the Dusit Poll result indicated that the Thai public wanted to know if Akeyuth's death harboured hidden motives. He said there were many suspicious occurrences in the case - such as the disappearance of the server for the close security camera system, which he said police had removed to avoid revealing the real culprits.

Somchai added that the fourth suspect Suthipong "Berm" Pimpisal's testimony also highlighted many contradictions. He said he agreed with Ministry of Justice inspector-general Porntip Rojanasunan's previous comment that there could be a cover-up. He suspected the case could be related to politics, as Akeyuth was a vocal critic of the government and Thaksin regime.

Metropolitan Police yesterday brought Berm to register for the court's first 12-day detention period. Berm faces five charges: armed robbery leading to another's death; premeditated murder; forcing another person to do something against their will (in this case, forcing Akeyuth to hand over the Bt5 million); illegal detention of another person leading to his death; and disposing of a body to conceal the crime.

Berm has reportedly confessed to all charges except the murder. He was detained pending a police probe and wouldn't be granted bail due to his flight risk. While being escorted to Bangkok Remand Prison, Berm told his parents that he was all right and they should take care of themselves.

Akeyuth's lawyer Suwat Apaipak, who doubts that the motive was theft, attended Berm's interrogation yesterday and heard the 27-year-old Phattalung man saying that Akeyuth's driver, Santiparb Pengduang, 25, strangled the victim to death and then strangled the lifeless body with shoelace. Santiparb earlier implicated Suthipong of strangling Akeyuth. Suwat said he doubted that the murder was merely theft-related as the culprits had thrown Akeyuth's belongings into the Nakhon Si Thammarat River, suggesting they were trying to conceal evidence of the crime.

Suwat also said he believed more people had masterminded the killing - not just the four men captured. He added that the investigation outcome was in the hands of the police and the victim's grief-stricken relatives who wanted a speedy conclusion to the case.

Porntip, who was also invited to observe Berm's interrogation, affirmed that she wouldn't provide information to investigators on the murder case, because she had been transferred from the Forensic Science Institute and it wouldn't be appropriate.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Remand Prison officials placed Santiparb and the two other suspects - Thiwakorn Kuathong and Chawalit Woonchum - under close watch for fear they might try to commit suicide during detention.

-- The Nation 2013-06-16

[waza]

Very suspect affair. RIP, Akeyuth Anchanbutr

Edited June 16, 2013 by waza

[A Member]

Pleas and urging will fall on very deal ears as Chalerm and the BIB have sorted it all out and will not lose face by reviewing what they have decided. Neither do they want any nasty or embarrassing facts suddenly coming out and if these nasties are already known they have been buried and will remain that way.

[bigbamboo]

I guess we will never know the truth until the sentencing of the convicted parties and (more importantly) the outcome of any subsequent appeals due to 'technicalities' in the case.

[Thai at Heart]

He was killed for 5mn cash, despite ripping off thousands of people and picking a fight with Mafia politicians.

I mean, who on earth would have thought there could be another possibility than his own driver doing it, sitting next to the stolen car waiting to get caught and caving with his confession in half a day.

[rkidlad]

He was killed for 5mn cash, despite ripping off thousands of people and picking a fight with Mafia politicians.

I mean, who on earth would have thought there could be another possibility than his own driver doing it, sitting next to the stolen car waiting to get caught and caving with his confession in half a day.

It's as if people in this country only commit crimes so they can be caught and confess.

[Neilly]

Suwat said he doubted that the murder was merely theft-related as the culprits had thrown Akeyuth's belongings into the Nakhon Si Thammarat River, suggesting they were trying to conceal evidence of the crime.

Allegedly the amulet that they tossed in the river was worth Bt10mil alone...so this dog and pony show is very hard to take seriously

[Payboy]

Suwat said he doubted that the murder was merely theft-related as the culprits had thrown Akeyuth's belongings into the Nakhon Si Thammarat River, suggesting they were trying to conceal evidence of the crime.

Allegedly the amulet that they tossed in the river was worth Bt10mil alone...so this dog and pony show is very hard to take seriously

It's never going to be found if it was worth that much.

[mrtoad]

He was killed for 5mn cash, despite ripping off thousands of people and picking a fight with Mafia politicians.

I mean, who on earth would have thought there could be another possibility than his own driver doing it, sitting next to the stolen car waiting to get caught and caving with his confession in half a day.

This is a huge cover up, and when Chalerm waded in before the body was even found, and had already concluded the outcome and motive, anyone with any common sense would be suspicious. 5 Million baht, is not exactly a massive amount of money.

[chuang]

This is a huge cover up, and when Chalerm waded in before the body was even found, and had already concluded the outcome and motive, anyone with any common sense would be suspicious. 5 Million baht, is not exactly a massive amount of money.

.

People get killed in Thailand for 5000 baht too.."..5 million baht is not exactly a massive amount of money " 55555, maybe not to you but to many thais yes...

[mrtoad]

This is a huge cover up, and when Chalerm waded in before the body was even found, and had already concluded the outcome and motive, anyone with any common sense would be suspicious. 5 Million baht, is not exactly a massive amount of money.

.

People get killed in Thailand for 5000 baht too.."..5 million baht is not exactly a massive amount of money " 55555, maybe not to you but to many thais yes...

if you look at the victim, 5 million baht is pocket change. It doesn't make sense, as does a lot of his case.

[Bellweather]

In reports that the family are split over this case it's said the deceased's sisters want the investigation to be closed as they are " shocked and fearful ". Shocked is understandable bur fearful is a different matter and what they are afraid of hasn't been explained as yet so my first reaction is they don't want to end up like their brother but why would they be afraid of robbers who are already in custody ?

I'm afraid that when this is finally over the case papers will be filed in the section of the archives that's marked with a very large question mark.

[hellodolly]

I guess we will never know the truth until the sentencing of the convicted parties and (more importantly) the outcome of any subsequent appeals due to 'technicalities' in the case.

We may never know the truth no matter what the sentencing is.

what we do know is it is not a good idea to disagree with this government.

[FarangTalk]

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

[Globeman]

I guess we will never know the truth until the sentencing of the convicted parties and (more importantly) the outcome of any subsequent appeals due to 'technicalities' in the case.

No, we will just never know the truth, full stop.

[Globeman]

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

At first, you come across as quite the street-corner philosopher... but then one begins to actually think... Ekeyuth was having people murdered? What sword was he wielding, exactly?

Some hackneyed cliches just don't fit every single situation, eh? You should have stuck with "R.I.P." and perhaps "my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones" - those work a treat for every death of someone you don't actually know.

[Globeman]

I guess we will never know the truth until the sentencing of the convicted parties and (more importantly) the outcome of any subsequent appeals due to 'technicalities' in the case.

We may never know the truth no matter what the sentencing is.

what we do know is it is not a good idea to disagree with this government.

Yes, though it seems odd that such a low level threat to this government should be liquidated - given all the risks that come with that (like half the population is convinced that it was set up by powerful people, one of whom lives in the desert)... but perhaps they are just killing a chicken to scare the monkeys.

[Globeman]

In reports that the family are split over this case it's said the deceased's sisters want the investigation to be closed as they are " shocked and fearful ". Shocked is understandable bur fearful is a different matter and what they are afraid of hasn't been explained as yet so my first reaction is they don't want to end up like their brother but why would they be afraid of robbers who are already in custody ?

I'm afraid that when this is finally over the case papers will be filed in the section of the archives that's marked with a very large question mark.

No they won't... they'll be marked "SOLVED!! CASE CLOSED! DO NOT REOPEN!"

[khunken]

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Not exactly.

Live by the sword & die by the shoelace.

He ripped off millions - hundreds if I'm not mistaken. Killed for 5m?

They have their scapegoats & instructions from a cover up expert. End of story, unfortunately.

[Lite Beer]

Court approves detention of fourth suspect in Akeyuth murder
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, June 16 – Thailand’s court has approved police request for 12-day detention period of the fourth suspect who surrendered to police last Friday for the murder-robbery of outspoken businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr.

Suthipong Pimpisan, also known as Berm, alleged to have strangled Akeyuth to death, surrendered to police on Friday but he said he did not kill the businessman.

The court today approved Suthipong's first detention from today until June 26 after police objected to his release on bail saying the accused has committed serious offences in the highly-publicised murder case.

Police also claimed that the investigation has not yet been completed. They are now searching for more accomplices.

Suthipong, along with other suspects who are now under arrest, including Akeyuth's driver Santiparb Pengduang, Tivakorn Kuathong, and Chaovalit Woonchum, were charged on seven criminal counts, including robbery, premeditated murder, concealing of a body, and illegal possession of firearms. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-06-16

[Baerboxer]

I guess the defamation charges brought by the PM against certain Democrat Party MPs will now be found proven. Given that the witness to the subject meeting has unfortunately been murdered, Nor will we ever know what information the poor deceased had that he was starting to talk about on social media.

Strange how one caught up with the rich and powerful can be murdered by his own driver for a relatively small amount of cash. But life is strange.

[worgeordie]

So robbery was the motive and they threw away 10 bht in Gold and a Chopard watch,!

one thing about Thailand is you will always be Amazed.

regards Worgeordie

[Thai at Heart]

So robbery was the motive and they threw away 10 bht in Gold and a Chopard watch,!

one thing about Thailand is you will always be Amazed.

regards Worgeordie

Well it didn't help him much did it.... Must have been a copy.

[winstonc]

if you look at the victims past,he wasnt a very nice human himself,,,,,,looks like it came back to haunt him,,,,

[Thaiwine]

Looks to me like the 5mil is a red herring, to hide the real motives behind the killing

it would be good to see the police with out blinkers on